 | | As the 2025 Legislative Session gets further into the rear-view mirror, we are still assessing the good and bad of what it left us. Most legislators, lobbyists, agency and legislative staff report that it was one of the toughest sessions in memory. While we anticipated that changes in leadership and a state budget shortfall would have an impact on the final outcome, we may have underestimated how those elements would be an obstacle despite our well-organized advocacy efforts. Public education advocates were more prepared and aligned than ever this year and our early and persistent efforts to elevate the need for ample resources for basic education were undeniable. Our efforts were evident in the multiple bills that were introduced by our legislative champions this session on Special Education, Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC), Transportation, and staffing supports. Although we experienced some hearty disappointments in these areas, the model for collective advocacy is a success we can carry with us into the future. Had it not been for that collaborative approach to advocacy, we may not have seen any increases to the K-12 budget.
That increase came to K-12 in the amount of $2.46 billion, but most ($2.09 billion) is maintenance level (already committed). Public education's share of the budget dropped slightly from 43.4% to 43.2% but key investments include $321.4 million for Special Education, $78.9 million for MSOC, and $113.6 million for Local Effort Assistance. Smaller allocations support the Community Eligibility Provision, inclusionary practices, and flexible student transportation options. Several education cuts are notable: $138.1 million in OSPI grant eliminations (e.g., Dual Language, Homeless Student Support), $8.4 million from ESDs, and reductions to Career Connected Learning and various administrative functions. Transition to Kindergarten funding is capped, saving the state $74.6 million. Is this all good or bad? You may have read or heard varying perspectives on how the budget actually turned out for K-12. Some are claiming "historic investments" in K-12 while others are pointing out the myriad of shortcomings for public education, as in these op-eds: Lawmakers opt to fail some WA students, invite McCleary 2.0 | The Seattle Times and You did not make a significant investment in Washington Schools | The Seattle Times.
As education advocates working to prioritize public education funding and supports while maintaining relationships with key decision-makers who influence those resources, it is difficult to balance the message of gratitude and reality. It sounds something like: "Thank you for what you were able to do in a difficult budget year. We know it could have been worse. It does not meet basic education requirements. We'll continue to advocate for what our students need and deserve." Some may only hear the first and second sentence and think their work is complete and some may only hear the last sentence and think we are ungrateful. Per usual, the truth of it all lies in the middle. We are, in fact, grateful for the students we will get to serve better from any investments but are saddened that many of our students will still go without the resources they've been promised for a basic education.
There are some simple messages we still need to communicate to legislators and our communities about this problem:
- Washington state schools are required to provide a basic education to each and every K-12 student.
- The Washington state legislature is required to pay for that basic education.
- District are still unable to cover the costs for basic education because the legislature has not fulfilled their financial obligation to K-12.
My math teacher mom would be happy to see me explain my work on this problem. In a nutshell, school districts need an amount to cover the costs of a required basic education, the state is providing some but not all of that amount, which leaves districts with a gap in funding.
Basic Education (BE) Need - State BE Allocation = Gap in Funding
In some communities, part of that gap is covered by local tax dollars in the form of levies, which are actually for enrichment activities (not a part of basic education). But not all communities can pass a levy. Ultimately, none of them should be asked to do so for basic education costs. See more on the levy and local effort assistance (LEA) issue in the section below.
This is not a character assassination on our policymakers. So many of our legislators fought hard for ample basic education funding this session. They deserve to be thanked for that effort. Just like you, though, their one vote is part of a more complicated and complex decision-making matrix. For them, it was made more difficult by a budget shortfall, differing opinions on taxes/revenue, and considerations for federal administration decisions that may impact state budget and operations in the foreseeable future. So, we didn't get the basic education funding we need to keep our schools going in the way parents, the public, our students, staff, or administration need or expect. There is a huge push to talk more about math scores and student readiness for learning. Right on! We all want to have student learning conversations first - but we can't do that very well when we are in a budget crisis.
So, what now? We're not done yet and our collective advocacy work will continue until we get what our students need and deserve. See more on interim advocacy in the section below.
MORE ON THE ACTUAL NUMBERS
You can find the final bill (Conference Report), funding summaries, and the comprehensive agency detail on the legislative budget website. In the meantime, here is a high-level supplemental (2025) and biennial (2025-27) K-12 budget overview:
The 2025 Supplemental Operating Budget includes supplemental funding for school meals, Transition to Kindergarten (TK), and safety net. The Legislature also included one-time funding that will be allocated to all school districts for the 2024–25 school year.
- $17.5 million more for school meals
- $15.7 million more for Transition to Kindergarten
- $54.5 million more for safety net
- $52 million for one-time funding in 2025, equal to $50 per student
The 2025–27 Biennial Operating Budget includes funding increases to special education, inclusionary practices, MSOC, and LEA. Details are available in the summary report but some highlights include
- $308.4 million more per biennium for special education, including funding to support ongoing training and technical assistance to support inclusionary practices
- $81.4 million more per biennium for MSOC
- $137 million more per biennium for LEA
2025-27 Capital Budget
- SCAP – Funded Maintenance Level.
- $429.57 Million
- Funded SCAP projects with state bonds.
- School Seismic Safety
- $151.45 Million
- Funding dedicated to the following projects:
- $8.18 Million - North Beach - Ocean Shores Elementary Tsunami Tower
- $8.17 Million – North Beach – Pacific Beach Elementary Relocation (Land Acquisition)
- $92.3 Million – Cape Flattery – Neah Bay K-12 Relocation
- $42.8 Million – Taholah – K-12 School Relocation
- Small District Modernization
- $202.35 Million
- $0.53 Million – Planning Grants
- $174.5 Million – School District Construction Projects
- $27.3 Million – State Tribal Education Compact School Projects
- School District Health & Safety
- $31 Million
- $11 Million – Emergency Repair Pool
- $15 Million – Urgent Repair Grants to Districts
- $5 Million – Equal Access Grants to Districts
- Healthy Kids/ Health Schools
- $13 Million
- $12 Million – Physical Education & Nutrition Grants
- $1 Million – Lead in Water Remediation
- Career Preparation & Launch Grants (CTE Equipment)
- $4 Million
- Skills Center Minor Works
- $5.8 Million
- West Sound Skills Center Modernization Project
- $42 Million
- Funds Phase II – Renovation of Existing Skills Center
- Classroom Indoor Air Quality Projects
- $17.5 Million
- School Inventory & Building Condition Assessments
- $1.4 Million
- Distressed Schools Grants
- $14.9 Million
- $0.24 Million - Acme Elementary Modernization
- $6.23 Million – Lawton Elementary School
- $5.0 Million – Maritime 253 – Puget Sound Maritime Skills Center
- $3.5 Million – TOPS K-8 School Project
- SCAPR Transitional Projects
- $24.1 Million
- $8.13 Million – Pe Ell School District – K-12 Modernization Project
- $6.0 Million – Bridgeport Elementary School Modernization
- $9.97 Million – Inchelium School District K-12 Modernization
- Agricultural Science in Schools Grants to FFA Foundation
- $5.15 Million
- School Security and Preparedness Infrastructure Grants
- $6 Million
- OSPI K-12 Capital Programs Administration
- $6.3 Million
SPECIAL EDUCATION
After this legislative session, the gap is in fact lessened for special education due to a multiplier increase to 1.16 and the removal of the artificial enrollment cap (the latter helping only some districts who currently exceed 16%). We are indeed grateful for the supports that these dollars will provide, via SB 5263 - and, yet, many students with disabilities will be left underserved or unserved. To meet actual needs, we asked for $1.1 billion for the biennium (2025-27) and received 1/3 of that amount just over $300 million.
MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND OPERATING COSTS
As for the essential funding needed just to pay the bills and provide for teaching and learning resources, the legislature provided a minimal increase to MSOC that does not keep up with inflationary costs, much less get to real needs. We received $80 million for the 2025-27 biennium but we asked for the needed $1 billion. Again, it moves the needle, but not nearly enough - especially when districts have already been cutting staff and programs and will need to continue doing so just to keep the lights on.
APPORTIONMENT SHIFTS
Sometimes our impact is difficult to measure because it is what we prevented from happening that equates to success. For instance, education advocates fought off apportionment shift concepts presented in a house bill and senate operating budget. There will be no apportionment shifts from this session - a big win that seemed unlikely given house and senate support at one point in the session.
Instead of a detrimental apportionment shift that would impact districts operating budgets, a one-time FY 25 apportionment payment will be made. The budget authorizes OSPI to distribute $50 per pupil, up to the maximum appropriation. This is ONE-TIME money, and districts are urged to use this funding to re-establish fund balance levels or use only for expenses that are targeted to improve student learning in a manner that advances equity in our schools.
ALE and LEA
The part of HB 2050 that did pass the legislature limits the Alternative Learning Experience enrollment used to calculate Local Effort Assistance to 33% of a school district's total enrollment. WSSDA joined other statewide organizations requesting a veto of this bill as it would have disproportionate impacts on about twelve districts throughout the state.
OTHER POLICIES
Hundreds of bills were introduced and many heard in committee, but very few passed in the grand scheme of things. As we have done in years past, WSSDA created this 2025 Legislative Session Bill Overview to help you navigate the new or revised laws, as passed by the legislature. When the legislature passes a new law that impacts K-12, WSSDA's Policy and Legal Services branch reviews the timeline for implementation to prioritize model policy revision or development. WSSDA provides model policies as a subscription service for consideration by boards to be in compliance with the law. Note: Districts are not required to adopt WSSDA's model policies but can be assured that they are following the state law if they do. Districts are also able to use their own legal counsel to develop their own policies.
| 
